BRICS India 2026 Logo Explained: Meaning of Lotus, Petals and ‘Namaste’ | Today’s news
All eyes are on the 18th BRICS summit to be held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026. Several world leaders and delegates are expected to attend this weekend.
One of the most anticipated moments is the likely visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China and India had not confirmed Xi’s visit before the summit.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kuo Jiakun has so far declined to comment on whether Xi is planning to visit India for the BRICS summit this week.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
The lotus in the BRICS India 2026 logo symbolizes resilience and harmony, represents India’s national flower and reflects inclusiveness, dialogue and shared growth among the BRICS nations.
The “Namaste” gesture at the center of the BRICS 2026 logo expresses warmth, inclusivity, respect and harmonious cooperation in line with the theme of the cooperation summit.
BRICS began as BRIC in 2001, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, and expanded to 11 members to include countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and Indonesia, culminating in its current form effective January 1, 2024.
The theme of the BRICS 2026 Summit is ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, highlighting India’s focus on people-centred development and fostering cooperation among member states.
Yes, engagement with BRICS is encouraged because it represents a diverse coalition of emerging economies that aims to counterbalance Western dominance in global economic governance and promote international cooperation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the summit.
BRICS includes 11 member countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The summit is significant for India as it puts it on the same table as China and Russia. It functions as a key platform for consultation and cooperation on pressing global and regional issues as well as matters of international political and economic governance.
BRICS 2026 Summit Theme
As India assumes the BRICS chairmanship for the fourth time, this year’s theme for the summit is ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, it draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Humanity First and People-centric” BRICS vision.
India has previously chaired the group three times – in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
Understanding the BRICS Summit 2026 logo
The BRICS 2026 logo was unveiled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. By S. Jaishankar on 13 January 2026 in New Delhi.
It features India’s national flower, the lotus, with a central motif depicting the ‘Namaste’ greeting. The logo was selected through a public design competition.
The BRICS India 2026 logo – a colorful lotus with ‘Namaste’ written in the middle – symbolizes inclusiveness, dialogue and shared growth, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
It combines tradition with modernity: the lotus at the heart represents resilience and harmony, while the petals in the colors of each BRICS nation symbolize diversity, equality, collective strength and unity.
On Wednesday, the “Namaste” gesture expresses warmth, inclusiveness, respect and harmonious cooperation, the ministry added.
Overall, they follow the official theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Collaboration and Sustainability.”
What is BRICS?
BRICS is a grouping of eleven major emerging market and developing economies: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
India remains a founding member and currently leads the bloc as chair 2026. The acronym BRICS itself originates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, later joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
